As with everything that goes with building your first ever website, buying your first domain name can also be a little intimidating when your getting started online.
In this article I want to help to reduce some of that anxiety for you, here I will show you a step by step pictorial on the exact steps you would take when you buy a domain name from Godaddy.com
CLICK HERE to go to www.GoDaddy.com
The screen shot you see below is what you can expect to find when you first visit the Godaddy.com home page.
Notice in the image above, you’ll a search box (where you can see the number 1). This is where you type in your desired domain name.
The next step (number 2) is to choose the domain extension you want, for example do you want a .com, .org or .net domain name etc…
and finally (number 3) hit the Go button.
What happens next.
Godaddy will search the whois database to see if your domain name is available or not, this only takes a few seconds depending on your internet speed so be patient, you will get a result back pretty quick.
If your initial search proves to be unsuccessful you have a couple of options,
1; you can choose another Domain name or try a different extension, or 2; look through the suggestions Godaddy has that are similar to your initial request.
Continue your search until you come up with something that you find is available and you are happy with.
Once you find a domain name available and you are happy with, click on the Continue To Registration button.
After clicking on the Continue To Registration button you will then see a screen asking if you want to upgrade your purchase, usually Godaddy will offer you the opportunity to buy the same domain name with a different extension. ie; .net .info…etc
A Word Of Warning,
Godaddy are the absolute masters of trying to get you to add additional products to your order, I think they must have gone to the same marketing school as McDonnalds (want fries with that?)
It really is not necessary to buy any extra domain names.
But if you do, it does provide you with some additional trademark protection and security from someone using a similar domain name and potentially harming your reputation, If you feel this could be an issue for you then by all means follow the suggestions and make the additional purchases.
Click on the No Thanks button to continue.
Your next step is to set up your account.
Just follow the prompts and Complete the required fields.
Once you have completed filling in all of your account information click on the Continue button at the bottom of the screen.
The next screen you should see will be where you can do the following…
- Register your domain name for your desired length of time, you can choose anywhere from 1 to 10 years. Usually, the longer the registration period; the cheaper your domain name will cost.
- You also have the option of making your registration public or private. If you decide to leave your information set as public, it will be accessible from www.whois.com. Private registration does cost an additional fee, but it does stop any one finding out who owns a particular domain name.
- Unless you think you need to add any additional services from Godaddy click on the No Thanks radio button.
- Click Continue.
A Word About Private Registrations.
There are varied opinions on whether you should choose a private registration or not. One argument against private registration is…
Not only do people think you may have something to hide but Google will as well, I personally couldn’t tell you if it will make any difference to your results in the eyes of Google or not, as far as I’m concerned it is just a rumor, but in saying that, I don’t worry about private registration, maybe I should, I don’t know,
You could always do a Search on the web and look for some articles on the pros and cons of private registration for your domain name and decide for yourself.
Here is an article about the pro’s and cons of private Domain Name registration you may find of interest. Click Here.
The Next Step Is…
Now you need to confirm all of the details you have filled in so far. Make sure you read this page carefully.
On this page you will find
- You can insert any discount coupons here to receive a discount on your purchase. Make sure you update your cart after inserting your discount code before clicking on the checkout now button.
- Choose your preferred method of payment.
- Confirm that you agree to the terms and policy agreement.
- Click the Continue With Checkout button.
Your next step is to make sure your account details are correct and everything is in order, then simply Checkout.
And thats all there is to It…
Congratulations you have just purchased your first .com domain name.
After your purchase you should receive an email with all of your purchase details. Make sure you receive this email, and keep it in a safe place where you can find it easily if you ever need to refer back to it.
If you are ready to look at purchasing a domain name all you will need to do is Click Here to get your domain name through www.GoDaddy.com and follow steps outlined in this tutorial.
